6 Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Hair Curler

Despite all the YouTube tutorials and Insta-blogger interviews on our social media these days, it is quite difficult to curl your hair. Let’s be honest: No matter how much serum you put on or how fancy a curling iron you use, your curls are and will always be susceptible to the weather and/or eventually just open up, leaving you with a large bushy mane that no one likes. 

Believe it or not, there is an art to figuring out the right way to hold the curler, the right temperature to apply, and how to maneuver the product such that it creates a perfect lock upon release. And that is assuming you are already using top-quality hair curlers in the first place. A not-so-great appliance will present its own set of issues. But today, let’s not go there. Today, we focus on looking at why you end up looking like an 80’s diva every time you curl your hair and how you can prevent that. And so, we present to you this quick rundown of the most common hair-curling mistakes and how to best avoid them. 

After all, sometimes, the best way to learn how to do something is by learning what not to do. Here are six mistakes to avoid when using a hair curler. You can finally master expert hair curling techniques using a range of different hair curlers and thank us later!

Dry your Hair Completely First 

Ever seen your hair sizzle upon contact with a heat styler? Not a great feeling, is it? Avoid it by making sure your whole head is completely dry before you begin, irrespective of whether you are curling or straightening it. This will give your hair an added oomph, like in the salons. Add some hold products and sprays to help set the curls faster and better. 

Pick the Right Barrel Size

Granted, different barrel sizes are meant for different sizes of curls. But the assumption that the bigger the curling iron, the beachier the waves is merely just that – an assumption. Experts claim that if the barrel is too big for the length and thickness of your hair, not only will curling it be a tiresome, time-consuming process, it will also not reap the results you are looking for.  

A better way to get bigger, looser curls is to create tighter ones with a narrow barrel and then brush through, thereby opening them up. Those with short or medium-length hair should opt for barrels that are no wider than 1” in diameter. On the other hand, long hair / loose curls require a barrel of at least 1 and a 1/4″ in width.  

Take Help from Hairspray 

If you only apply hairspray once you are done styling your hair, here’s a salon-tip for you: You can do so pre-styling as well. This helps prep the hair follicle for whatever is coming its way and adds some much-needed longevity to the style. When it comes to curling in particular, spritzing some holding or volumising spray beforehand will prevent your curl from falling flat.

This trick will come in handy especially for those with fine or super-straight hair that is unable to hold curls. Just make sure you are lightly misting it with the spray. If you use too much product, you will likely end up with crisp, burned-smelling hair. 

Set the Right Temperature 

Another misconception many have is that the greater the heat, the longer your hairstyle will hold. Wrong! Well, at least partly wrong. While it is true that higher temperatures help set your hair faster, they also come with their fair share of risks, such as permanent damage, especially for thin, dry, or colour-treated hair. 

That is why experts recommend turning the heat down low for processed manes. Either way, proceed with caution. Use heat protectant sprays to curtail long-term damage. 

Perfect your Technique  

Obvious as it may seem, this is actually harder than you’d think. Different types of curls or waves require the hair to be wrapped around the barrel in different ways. If you are seeking tight, Russian Doll ringlets, you should wrap all your hair around the wand. 

On the other hand, if you want funkier, modern, messy waves, we suggest starting off on each lock of hair midway and leaving the ends out. 

Experts also suggest heating your roots first by holding the iron perpendicular to the head (at a right angle) if you want to add volume to your crown. If you don’t want the extra lift though, simply hold the wand straight down. No? Do you like the beach wave vibe? Hold your curling iron straight up! 

Time Yourself 

We cannot stress this enough: Never hold a heat style on your hair for more than eight to 10 seconds! Really, drill it into your heads. Failure to adhere to this basic hair care rule can result in permanent damage. And also, make sure to hold each of the curls for the same amount of time. If you don’t, you will end up with curls of varying sizes.